Recovery of Roasted Tobacco Volatiles Released from Activated Carbon by Extraction and Steam Desorption Methods

Abstract

Cigarette flavor ingredients adsorbed on activated carbon were recovered by an organic solvent extraction method and a stem desorption method. Recovery by dichloromethane extraction showed the maximum effect and many volatile components, especially the thermal degradation products from sugar analogues, were recovered in a good yield. Their recovered yield and desorption rate depended on the physical properties of the carbons. Most of the volatile components were also recovered by the steam desorption method, but the recovery of components with high boiling points was very low by steam desorption. The difference in recovered yield from the carbons is explained by the specific surface area of the carbons measured before and after the desorption procedure.